Hank Perret, Local Contributor tells about the dramatic cuts to the Farm Bill that passed through the Agricultural Committee of the House of Representatives. Perret is president and chief executive officer of the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas, and is very concerned that if this bill passes it is going to greatly effect our elderly and children. He believes that if the bill passes people are going to have to start choosing between paying for food or health or utilities. With just about 80 percent of the Farm Bill budget funds going to food stamps, a cut in this will greatly effect those who are already in desperate need.
Obviously the government needs to figure out ways to cut the budget in Texas, but why start taking away from those who need it the most. They have already made it so the money goes back into the state as people spends it, so if the budget does get cut how will the government make up for the money that was coming in?? Also, these cuts will effect our senior citizens forcing them to choose between get a meal or having electricity. The children receiving free or reduced lunches could possible loose their lunch, so thousands of children will be without food!
How can they pass this bill? It is absolutely absurd that the government will take away from the poor, our children and elderly. It could be your friend that will no longer get the help they need or the single mother just barely making it by. What will people do? There will be more homeless and more starving children. I know that there are people out there that do cheat the system and probably a lot of people getting away government help that do not deserve it, so maybe there should be more extensive rules to those who can be accepted. I do however, completely agree with Perret on this we have to do something! There are so many people who do need this assistance and without it where will this economy end up then?
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I read Carrie Sanders post, Taking from the needy, and I absolutely agree with some of the points she made. First, it is without a doubt indisputable that many people use the government system when they are not actually in need of assistance. Articlebase’s, Kyle Krannebitter, hits the nail on the head by stating, “Recipients find new ways each year to prolong their dependency on the system. It is not fair to hard working tax payers who are giving their well earned money to greedy, lazy Americans that are able to work, but do not choose to.” This abuse ruins many government officials, along with many American, views on welfare programs, and in turn brings about bills such as the Farm Bill Carrie described in her article.
As always, there are pros and cons to each and every case, which inevitably leads to groups of supporters and groups of opponents. However, I do agree with Carrie that there are a lot of people that are in dire need of assistance, which is why it is so unfathomable that our government would take such assistance away from those whom are in need. Like Carrie said we need stricter regulations to stop the abusers and help the needy. President Bill Clinton took such action on the national level during his presidency. Articlebase’s, Kyle Krannebitter, states, “Welfare programs have proven beneficial in helping people and families that are in need. Because of the program's abuse, new state regulations were needed. Statistics show that the reform program implemented by Bill Clinton back in 1996 is working. It has succeeded in reducing the number of families and people on assistance.”
So, why not follow in the former presidents footsteps by implementing such regulations on a state level? We as a state need to figure out how to continue to help those in need, sadly most of which are the elderly and children, and cut off those who are abusing the welfare system. Austin American Statesman, Hank Perret, touched on the sad statistic by stating, “Last Wednesday, the Agriculture Committee of the House of Representatives voted to pass dramatic cuts to the Farm Bill. If it passes in Congress, the legislation will remove $16.5 billion from food and hunger relief programs that directly benefit children, seniors and families.” We cannot let such nonsense take place. Although there will always be law breakers, cheaters, and those who abuse privileges, it should not ruin the chances for those who follow the rules and truly need the assistance.
Krannebitter, Kyle. "Regulate the Welfare Abuse." Articlesbase.com. Articlesbase.com, n.d. Web. 14 Aug. 2012. .
Perret, Hank. "Perret: Cuts Would Affect Hungry Central Texas Kids, Seniors." Perret: Cuts Would Affect Hungry Central Texas Kids, Seniors. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Aug. 2012. .
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